KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, March 5, IWN – Eight young ladies will on June 1 vie to become Miss SVG 2013. Following are their biographies, released to the media by the Carnival Development Corporation on Tuesday.
Biography of Shannon Nakita Bess
Shannon Nakita Bess was born on April 11, 1990 in the twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the youngest of four children to Vincentian parents, Melvin Lewis and Mineva Bess. She considers St. Vincent and the Grenadines her home, having migrated here at the age of six. She gained her primary education at the Richmond Hill Government School, and then attended the Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia. She migrated to Montreal, Canada in 2005 where she attended St. Luc’s High School. In 2007 she returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and completed her secondary education at the Campden Park Secondary School where she graduated with six O’level passes.
Shannon entered the work force after completing her secondary education working at the St. Vincent Union of Teachers’ Co-operative Credit Union (SVUTCCU) School’s Supply Outlet until 2011. She then began working at Irie Travel Services as a travel consultant, where she is currently employed.
Shannon believes in personal and community development and as a result, she is an active member of the Leo Club of St. Vincent where she joined in 2011 and the Toastmasters of SVG. She knows that making a positive difference in someone’s life is the greatest accomplishment a person can have. Her participation in the mentorship programme with the boys at the Liberty Lodge Boys’ Training Centre and the feeding of the homeless activity, both signature projects of the Leo Club St. Vincent allows Shannon to be involved in her community, giving of her time and assistance to enrich the lives of others.
This is Shannon’s first attempt at pageantry and she embraces this new challenge as it is a great opportunity for personal development. She plans to pursue a career in Business Management with a focus on small business development, as she hopes to be instrumental in assisting and moulding tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.
In her spare time she models with the Image Modeling Agency. With the confidence gained through her involvement in this agency, it served as a platform to her participating in the Miss SVG Pageant 2013. She also enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family and considers these moments as precious. Travelling for both leisure and Lion’s International forums is another of her favourite pastimes.
Shannon believes that hard work is the key ingredient to life’s success and is prepared to work as hard and as long as necessary to achieve that success. She is not deterred by negative attitude and comments as these are necessary in building a strong positive character. She is focused on her goals and achievements and is determined to always give of her best. As a proud Vincentian she considers it a privilege to be participating in the Miss SVG 2013 Pageant and if she is crowned queen, will be honoured and proud to have the opportunity to represent her country.
Biography of Anne Therese Chambers
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.
Allow me to introduce Anne Therese Chambers, born on June 21, 1989 to Errol and Phyllis Chambers. She is the last of three siblings. Her family has always been a great foundation and source of support. Her parents worked tirelessly to mould her into the person she is today. They encouraged her to put God first in everything and ensured that strong Christian values were instilled in her from a very young age. Her older siblings were always protective of her and became the driving force in her life. They urged her always to do her best and she, therefore, became the very caring, loving and determined individual she is today.
Her formative years were spent in the quiet village of Level Gardens. She now resides in the diverse and fulfilled community of Fairhall/Glen. Her education began at the Kingstown Preparatory School following which she was enrolled at the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown. Her tertiary education was at the St. Vincent College, Division of Humanities. These institutions further developed her character and honed her confidence and independence.
She prides herself in assisting and working within groups to ensure persons achieve their goals. In pursuance of this she became a member of the Young Leaders project at the Convent and the drama club. There she discovered her special talent and developed an interest in cosmetology. In the school’s drama festival in 2005 she won best makeup. In her spare time she enjoys nail art for which she is self taught. She has learnt that practice makes near perfect. She is now determined to pursue a career in cosmetology or dermatology. She also enjoys cooking and believes that true pleasure is to be found in the way one uses their gifts to bring joy to friends, family and all whose lies one touches.
She knows that with God one can move mountains if you only trust and believe in him. Without faith nothing is possible. With it nothing is impossible. Entering Miss SVG would not only be an honour but the fulfilment of a life-long dream for Anne Therese. This pageant builds confidence through exposure and experiences gained. It will certainly help her achieve her educational goal but likewise it will enable her to become an ambassador for her country. Remember it is not what one can receive; it is what one can give back to ensure the development of their country.
Biography of Maressa Odama Endeavour
Maressa Odama Endeavour was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Arnos Vale in March 1990 and spent all her life in the Village of Glen. Maressa grew up with her parents Winston and Catherine Endeavour and three other siblings.
She grew up amidst many challenges and especially so, finishing her tertiary education due to her battle with sporadic illness. She successfully graduated in 2012 from the St. Vincent Technical College with an Associate Degree in Business Sales and Marketing.
Maressa is very appreciative of the support from her family and finds strength in the guidance that is provided by God, her sister and mother. Her personal motto comes from her mother “never give up, everything happens for a reason”.
She is an enthusiastic person and carries that enthusiasm into everything she does, which includes modeling.
Maressa desires to further her studies and has the ambition of becoming a counselor so that she can make a contribution to assist women against violence, and abused and neglected children
Winning the Scholarship would greatly assist her in achieving that goal.
Biography of Shara George
She is 22-year-old Shara George, and she was born on January 5, 1990 to Valerie and Jerry George. She has lived in the quiet community of Cane Garden all her life.
Her alma mater is the St. Vincent Girls High School, from which she graduated in 2006. During her high school years she was very active in a number of extra-curricular activities. These included the Girl Guides, Junior Achievers, Young Leaders and the school’s athletic team. She participated in the GHS Miss Heritage Pageant in 2005 and placed first runner-up.
Outside of these school-based activities, she did Shotokan karate for five years. She has represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in karate tournaments in St. Lucia, Grenada, and Trinidad & Tobago.
After graduating from The Girls High School she then attended the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, from which she graduated in 2008.
Marketing is her passion and she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a specialization in Marketing. She also enjoys all things related to beauty and fashion and she is a freelance make-up artist. After completing her Marketing degree, she wishes to pursue studies in cosmetology and become a fully licensed aesthetician and massage therapist, and own a beauty consultancy business. If she is successful in winning the title of Miss SVG 2013, the university scholarship would help her to fulfill this dream.
Shara is an outgoing, driven and compassionate person who firmly believes that perseverance, hard work, determination and faith are the keys to lasting success in life. She believes that life is not for the timid; and both the good and bad in life should be appreciated because this is what shapes who we are.
She has a deep-seated love for her country and this is what fuels her desire to enter the Miss SVG Pageant because she strongly believes that she would be a good ambassador to her country.
Biography of Chenead Candida Hackshaw
Her name is Chenead Candida Caniggia Hackshaw. She was born on December 5, 1990 at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. The third of four children and the product of a very humble upbringing, she grew up on the Leeward side of the island in Spring Village.
Her primary years were spent at the Spring Village Methodist School. She then began her secondary education at the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown and graduated the holder of five CXC subjects, subsequently obtaining two A Levels from the St. Vincent Community College. She recently obtained Integrated Science as a private candidate.
Her formative years were spent regularly attending the Anglican Church in her community, where several moral values were instilled in her. She was also an Acolyte for several years and still an active member of the church. Strongly influenced by her mother Keth Hackshaw, whose strength and unwavering faith has taught her that no task is too hard to accomplish, she will endeavour to enter and win Miss SVG Pageant 2013.
Leisure time for Chenead is usually spent doing hair or visiting her grandmother, with whom she has a very close relationship. In the near future she intends to pursue her long time dream of owning a Health & Beauty Spa, which will serve, not only to pamper both men and women, but also to educate them on the importance of taking care of their bodies.
However, if she is to win Miss SVG 2013 she will first pursue studies in History of the Caribbean, as she has always had a love for History during her secondary and tertiary years. Not only will she be a proud representative for her country, but will also serve as a role model to her peers.
Biography of Hannah Hamilton
Hannah Hamilton is a beautiful and energetic young lady from the tranquil village of Dorsetshire Hill. She is an honest, ambitious but noble Vincentian, who was born on April 15, 1990 at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. She was born to, and raised by Mr. Christel Hamilton and Mrs. Sharon Hamilton of Dorsetshire Hill. She grew up in a home well-grounded in the Christian faith and as a result kept the moral standards that were instilled in her. She considers herself as being an adventurous person who likes to interact with others. She loves outdoor activities, especially going to the beach.
At the tender age of four she attended the Dorsetshire Hill Primary School where she was nurtured and developed. She then attended the Bishop’s College Kingstown where her main focus of study was the business subject areas. At the CXC examinations she gained ten subjects. Building upon her success, she then attended the SVGCC Division of Arts and Sciences, where she was in the Social Science Faculty achieving four A’Level subjects. At the age of eighteen she had a choice between the field of law and the teaching profession. In October 2008, she had her first job at the Lyndon George’s Chambers where she was employed for one year and nine months, filling the position of secretary; and after a period of time she filled the position of office manager. As a result of this employment, her communication skills were enhanced.
It is every person’s dream to develop their abilities and further their education. Hannah accomplished her dream by deciding to go to the SVGCC Division of Teachers’ Education, where she successfully completed her Associate Degree in Secondary (TVET) Education. She graduated in June 2012. She aspires to further her studies and complete her Bachelor’s in Education in Family and Consumer Studies, following which she will do her Masters. She also intends to open a clothing company in the near future.
Biography of Anna La Borde
Her name is Anna La Borde. She was born on a warm, sunny day in September in Evesham in 1988. For the past seven years, she has resided in Hopewell with her mother Willimea and her niece Aria. She is the last of five siblings. She started school when she was five years old. She attended kindergarten through to sixth grade at the Evesham Methodist School; and then she attended Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia; and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.
Anna, in general, is a bit quiet at times. She is well disciplined and has a great personality. She loves to smile, even when she is angry or upset.
She holds the coveted title of Miss P’Tani 2010. She is a member of the Mije Modeling Agency. This, she takes very seriously and enjoys every bit of the experience afforded. In 2011, she participated in the Elite Model Look Caribbean where one model was chosen to represent SVG in the semi-finals in Trinidad. Even though she was not the winner, Anna was placed in the final top ten. She thoroughly benefited from the experience and exposure that it provided.
Anna’s hobbies are dancing, modeling, listening to music, looking at television and interacting with positive individuals.
For Anna, day-to-day life is rooted in family and friends, knowing whom one can trust and who trusts you. She is a true believer in God as He is her source of being. She is pretty much on the happy side of life, but like all young adults she does have her “off- days”.
She may be young and naïve at times, but Anna still believes that life is worth everything. For her, it is not just about having a relationship, companionship, good friends or even a good job. She feels that some people will settle for things like these because for them, it is by far the best their lives can get. For her, that is not all you get from this world. Life is so much more than merely pursuing the norms of the society, but amongst other things being a good person and subscribing to the morals of her fore-parents. Life is a lot about passion, freedom and love. Anna will only walk this road once – she might as well make the most of it.
From this point in time, Anna hopes to further her studies in Tourism and Hospitality Management; and also to further her modeling career.
Biography of Brooke Crystal Legair
Brooke Crystal Thessa Legair was born on February 23, 1992 to Ms. Gracel Samuel and Mr. David Legair. She is the eldest of four siblings, which from an early stage in life taught her responsibility and developed her leadership skills. She is currently a resident of the urban community of Paul Over, Richmond Hill where Brooke was nurtured into the humble and simple young lady that she is today.
Brooke’s educational journey began at the C.W. Prescott Primary School which established a strong foundation. She was later enrolled at the Dr. J.P. Eustace Memorial Secondary, where during her five years she became a prefect, PRO of the Young Leaders Association 2006-2007, and represented her school once at the annual Leo Lion’s Club public speaking competition.
After completion of her secondary education, Brooke spent two years at the St. Vincent Community College Division of Technical and Vocational Education, successfully graduating with a certificate of completion in the field of Business Administration.
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus is the selected institution where Brooke plans to pursue studies in the field of Human Resource Management and Fashion Designing. She believes that education is on-going and when properly equipped, there are no barriers to what can be accomplished.
Brooke has been an avid member of the Mije Modeling and Personal Development Agency which ignited her love of fashion and the runway, and which in 2011 gave her the opportunity to debut as a fashion designer creating her very first line of hair accessories.
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated” — Maya Angelou — is one of the quotes that Anna strongly believes in.